Germany’s Deutsche Bahn (DB) has announced a massive €900 million investment to electrify its primary freight corridors by 2027. The project aims to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the nation’s rail freight by phasing out diesel locomotives in favor of electric alternatives across major routes, including the Rhine-Ruhr and Hamburg corridors.
The investment will fund the installation of overhead lines and the purchase of new electric locomotives capable of hauling heavy cargo over long distances. DB has identified around 2,000 kilometers of track for electrification, which, once completed, will cut emissions from freight transport by an estimated 70% in these corridors. This move aligns with Germany’s broader climate goals of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045.
DB’s CEO has emphasized the importance of sustainable freight, noting that rail is the most efficient mode for transporting goods over long distances. The new infrastructure will also support faster trains, potentially reducing transit times and making rail freight more competitive with road transport.
